It's a a small town city with about 19,043 people. Median household income is $82,401, which feels pretty solid for the area. Homes are going for about $346,700 on average. Rent is about $1,649/month for a decent place. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. What would you do? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
5 upvotes
11 Replies
Harper Brown
This.
36 upvotes
matthew_local
100%
33 upvotes
Maya Reed
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 12 years ago from Miami and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Oak Park. It's decent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in real estate. If you're in real estate you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 5 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: tough. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Hope this helps!.
27 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a HR manager, 31, moved here 2 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Midtown and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good internet infrastructure
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is developing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for retirees. tough vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt hit or miss. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
23 upvotes
Henry Cooper
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 10 years ago from Seattle and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Downtown. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in finance. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.
No regrets on my end..
21 upvotes
Isla Phillips
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if community vibe matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
17 upvotes
Brielle Roberts
I work in tech here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
14 upvotes
Nicholas Miller
I work in retail here and it's exactly what I was looking for. The job market for my field is tough. No regrets on my end..
10 upvotes
Addison Collins
as a local I can confirm
5 upvotes
Christine R.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want safety, then yeah this place is great. But if safety matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
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